Stock futures advance as Americans go to the polls

NEW YORK – Stock index futures advanced on Tuesday, indicating the S&P 500 would rise for a second consecutive session with voters set to elect the country's president.

Polls showed President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney neck-and-neck in a race that will be decided in a handful of states. A change in political leadership could affect sectors such as healthcare, energy and financials.

Investors will also closely watch races in the Senate and House of Representatives that will have an impact on the "fiscal cliff," or $600 billion in spending cuts and tax increases that are set to be automatically triggered at the end of the year unless a deal is reached between Congress and the White House.

Fossil Inc dropped 5.4 percent to $89.01 in premarket trade after the fashion accessories maker posted lower-than-expected quarterly revenue due to a fall in sales in Europe and a stronger dollar.

NYSE Euronext , the world's largest stock market, is hoping ambitious cost cuts will help offset lower trading levels in the latest sign of growing pressure on the world's top trading firms.

Express Scripts Holding Co plunged 14.9 percent to $53.50 in premarket action after the pharmacy benefits manager said analysts' forecasts for its 2013 results were too aggressive, casting doubt on how well it is integrating its $29 billion purchase of Medco Health Solutions Inc.

According to Thomson Reuters data through Monday morning, of the 387 companies in the S&P 500 that have posted earnings, 61.8 percent have topped Wall Street expectations, roughly in-line with the 62 percent quarterly average since 1994 and below the 67 percent average over the past four quarters.

But corporate revenue has disappointed investors, with only 38.1 percent of companies besting analyst expectations, well below the 62 percent quarterly average since 2002 and the 55 percent average over the past four quarters.

Stronger travel and tech stocks helped European equities to advance and charts signaled more gains, although uncertainty about the outcome of the U.S. election was likely to cap moves throughout the session.

Asian shares steadied, with investors' reluctant to place new bets amid uncertainty over the outcome of a tight U.S. presidential election and renewed doubts over Greece's ability to push through stringent fiscal reforms.